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Preserving Plant Biodiversity in China

CHINA IS HOME TO INCREDIBLE BIODIVERSITY, BUT MANY OF ITS NATIVE PLANTS ARE THREATENED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  HEAR ABOUT A NEW EFFORT TO PRESERVE THEM ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND MEDICINAL PLANTS ARE GROWN IN CHINA, AS ARE IMPORTANT CROPS SUCH AS RICE AND TEA.  BUT HABITAT DESTRUCTION, OVER-HARVESTING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF PLANT SPECIES AT RISK.

THAT’S WHY CHINA HAS INTRODUCED A NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION.  IT’S A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT THAT IS BEING LED BY THREE STATE AGENCIES AND A LONDON-BASED CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION.  THE PLAN IS TO TURN AN AREA OF FARMLAND LARGER THAN ENGLAND BACK INTO A NATURAL FOREST, HALT LOGGING AND BAN POLLUTION NEAR BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS, AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IS A FIRM COMMITMENT TO THEIR FUTURE – AND OURS.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Learn more about the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation.